Sunscreen container

ABSTRACT

A Sunscreen Container is provided which includes a sunscreen-filled container equipped with a reflective surface. The container has a plane bottom surface, a substantially planar side wall surface which is formed to define a bottle, squeeze-tube, or jar, and a plane top surface of an upper lid. The reflective surface is secured firmly in place with an adhesive material which connects one side of the reflective surface to the plane top surface, the plane surface, or the planar side wall surface of the container. The reflective surface may be secured in place with a water resistant adhesive which attaches one side of the reflective surface to a plane surface of the container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to devices used toprotect skin. More specifically, the present invention pertains tosunscreen application devices that allow users to achieve propersunscreen application to the skin. The present invention isparticularly, though not exclusively, useful as a means for protectingthe skin from diseases associated with exposure to the sun.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In recent years, outdoor activity such as swimming, running,biking, waterskiing, surfing, snow skiing, and snow boarding, haspermeated American culture with increased vigor. In fact, outdoor sporthas become a significant cultural phenomenon. Unfortunately, thegolden-bronze or sun-burned skin tones that often accompany excessiveexposure to the sun during outside activity are actually the skin'sinjury response to ultraviolet radiation damage. As a result, there isan increased need to guard the skin against the harsh rays of the sun,thereby protecting it from premature photo-aging, such as fine-lines,wrinkles, and leathery texture. More importantly, the high incidence ofskin cancer, such as malignant melanoma, one of the most deadly forms ofskin cancer, has been attributed primarily to sun exposure. There isthus an even greater need to shield the skin from life-threateningdisease.

[0003] Accordingly, sunscreen is an essential component of any overallphoto-aging and skin cancer prevention strategy. Sunscreen reduces auser's exposure to the harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. In use,the sun protection factor (“SPF rating”) of a particular sunscreenallows a user to approximate the time the sunscreen is able to forestallthe onset of sunburn. A higher SPF rating offers a user protection for alonger period of time than a lower SPF rating. A sunscreen user may thenbe better equipped to tolerate the sun's harmful rays depending on theamount of time a user remains in the sun and the particular SPF ratingutilized. Consequently, sunscreen use allows a user to remain exposed tothe sun unharmed for a longer period of time than a user who has appliedsunscreen with too low an SPF rating or who has refrained from usingsunscreen all together. More importantly, a user who achieves proper andcomplete coverage on his or her skin may be afforded maximum protection.

[0004] In response to the need to shield the skin from the dangers posedby the sun, a variety of skin protection aids have been developed. Thecurrently available skin protection devices disclose a protective creamwhich is dispensed from a bottle, jar, and/or squeeze tube shapedcontainer, that a user massages into his or her skin to chemically blockultraviolet radiation. These skin protection devices are designed todefend a user's skin from premature photo-aging and fromlife-threatening diseases by minimizing a user's exposure to the sun.

[0005] However, the application of sunscreen with a currently availableskin protection device may require that a user apply sunscreen to adesired area around the eyes, nose, and ears, without a visual aid, suchas a mirror. A currently available device may therefore rely solely uponthe user's manual coordination for proper application to the desiredlocation. Consequently, the application of sunscreen with a currentlyavailable skin protection device may not allow a user to achieve propersunscreen application. Sunscreen application with these devices is thusunlikely to provide sufficient protection against premature photo-agingand life-threatening disease.

[0006] As a consequence, applying sunscreen with a currently availableskin protection device may, due to the lack of a visual aid, allow auser to misapply or inefficiently apply sunscreen to the skin duringapplication to the aforementioned areas. In addition, a user engaging inwater or snow sports, where frequent sunscreen reapplication is crucialto continued skin protection, may be even less able to maintainconsistent sunscreen coverage to these areas. The result is greaterdifficulty in maintaining proper sunscreen coverage. More importantly, auser who applies sunscreen with a currently available skin protectiondevice may inadvertently allow his or her skin to remain unprotectedagainst the sun's often harsh rays, and thereby subject his or her skinto premature photo-aging or increase his or her risk of developing alife-threatening disease.

[0007] As a result of the above problems, there is a need for a skinprotection device that does not rely solely upon the user's dexterityfor proper sunscreen application to the areas around the eyes, nose, andears. This device must ensure that a user's skin readily withstand thesun's often harsh rays. Accordingly, there is a need for a skinprotection device that will provide visual assistance, such as a mirroror other reflective surface, to a user during sunscreen application tothese particular areas. This device must allow a user to correctly applysunscreen to these areas of the skin, thereby fostering proper andcomplete skin coverage. Further, this device must allow a user engagingin outdoor sports to maintain consistent sunscreen coverage. Moreover,this device must prevent a user from inadvertently allowing his or herskin to remain unprotected against harmful radiation. Finally, thisdevice must minimize the risk of premature photo-aging andlife-threatening disease.

[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea skin protection device that does not rely solely upon the user'smanual coordination for proper sunscreen application to the areas aroundthe eyes, nose, and ears. It is another object of the present inventionto provide a skin protection device that ensures that a user's skin mayreadily withstand the sun's often harsh rays. It is another object ofthe present invention to provide a skin protection device that providesvisual assistance, such as a mirror or other reflective surface, to auser during sunscreen application. It is another object of the presentinvention to provide a skin protection device that enables a user toefficiently apply sunscreen to these particular areas of the skin. It isanother object of the present invention to provide a skin protectiondevice that fosters proper and complete skin coverage. It is anotherobject of the present invention to provide a skin protection device thatallows a user engaging in outdoor sports to maintain consistentsunscreen coverage. It is another object of the present invention toprovide a skin protection device that prevents a user from inadvertentlyallowing his or her skin to remain unprotected against harmfulradiation. It is another object of the present invention to provide askin protection device that minimizes the risk of premature photo-agingand life-threatening disease. It is yet another object of the presentinvention to provide a skin protection device that is easy tomanufacture, easy to use, easy to maintain, and relatively inexpensive.Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0009] In accordance with the present invention, a Sunscreen Containeris provided which includes a sunscreen-filled bottle, jar, orsqueeze-tube shaped container equipped with a reflective surface, suchas a mirror. In use, the Sunscreen Container Device casts the user'smirror image from the reflective surface. The device further includes aplane bottom surface, a plane top surface of the container's upper-lid,and a substantially planar side wall surface which spans opposite edgesof the bottom and top surfaces to form a bottle, jar, or squeeze-tubeshaped container. The reflective surface is secured firmly in place withan adhesive material which connects one side of the reflective surfaceto the top surface of the container's upper-lid.

[0010] In an alternate configuration, a Sunscreen Container is providedin which the reflective surface attaches to, or formed on, the planebottom surface of a bottle, jar, or squeeze-tube shaped container. Thereflective surface is secured firmly in place with an adhesive materialwhich connects one side of the reflective surface to the bottom surfaceof the bottle, jar, or squeeze-tube shaped container.

[0011] In yet another configuration, a Sunscreen Container is providedin which the reflective surface attaches to the planar side wall surfaceof a bottle, jar, or squeeze-tube container. The reflective surface issecured firmly in place with an adhesive material which connects oneside of the reflective surface to the planar side wall surface of abottle, jar, or squeeze-tube container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The novel features of this invention, as well as the inventionitself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be bestunderstood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer tosimilar parts, and in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Sunscreen Container of thepresent invention showing a bottle-shaped container equipped with areflective surface attached to the plane top surface of the container'supper-lid;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the Sunscreen Container of thepresent invention showing a squeeze-tube shaped contained equipped witha reflective surface attached to the plane top surface of thecontainer's upper-lid;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the Sunscreen Container of thepresent invention showing a jar shaped container equipped with areflective surface attached to the plane top surface of the container'supper-lid;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative configuration ofthe Sunscreen Container of the present invention showing a bottle-shapedcontainer equipped with a reflective surface attached to the planebottom surface of the container;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative configuration ofthe Sunscreen Container of the present invention showing a jar shapedcontainer equipped with a reflective surface attached to the planebottom surface of the container;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative configuration ofthe Sunscreen Container of the present invention showing a bottle shapedcontainer equipped with a reflective surface attached to the plane sidewall surface of the container;

[0019]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative configuration ofthe Sunscreen Container of the present invention showing a squeeze-tubeshaped container equipped with a reflective surface attached to theplane side wall surface of the container; and

[0020]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative configuration ofthe Sunscreen Container of the present invention showing a jar shapedcontainer equipped with a reflective surface attached to the plane sidewall surface of the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] Referring initially to FIG. 1 for an overview, a SunscreenContainer in accordance with the present invention is shown andgenerally designated 10. The Sunscreen Container 10 includes abottle-shaped container 12 having a substantially planar side wallsurface 14 which is formed to define a bottle neck 16 having an upperflip-top lid 18. In a preferred embodiment, the Sunscreen Container 10has a plane bottom surface 20 and a plane top surface 22 of the flip-toplid 18 of the bottle 12. The flip-top lid 18 is merely a preferredembodiment, and it can be appreciated that the flip-top lid may bereplaced with a detachable lid, or any other closure mechanism wellknown in the art.

[0022]FIG. 1 shows that the Sunscreen Container 10 is equipped with areflective surface 24. In a preferred embodiment, the reflective surface24 is affixed to the plane surface 22 of the flip-top lid 18. In apreferred embodiment, the reflective surface 24 is affixed to the planesurface 22 of the flip-top lid 18 with a water resistant adhesive 26.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the reflective surface 24 may be madeof a reflective material that forms a well-defined reflected beam, suchas reflecting glass, or other suitable material known in the art. It ispreferable that the material be a good reflector for visible light toensure that a user is able to see his or her likeness. However,reflecting glass is merely exemplary of a preferred embodiment, and itis to be appreciated that any other material having a sufficientlypolished surface to create a mirror-like reflection may be used.Specifically, it is preferable that the average depth of surfaceirregularities of the reflector material be substantially less than thewavelength of the incident light to ensure that the material reflectsvisible light.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the reflective surface may be formedto define a planar surface. The surface should be adequately polished toensure that a reflected beam is formed. However, it is to be appreciatedthat the reflective surface may be formed to define a convex or concavesurface to accommodate a convex or concave top, bottom, or side wallsurface of a bottle, jar, or squeeze-tube container.

[0025] While reflective glass has been discussed as a preferred devicefor ensuring that a mirror-like reflection is created, it should beappreciated that any reflective material well known in the art may beused. For example, the reflective glass may be replaced with a flexiblematerial, such as a reflective foil. The reflective foil may include aself-adhesive back surface to permit a user to affix the reflectivesurface to a bottle, jar, or squeeze-tube shaped container.

[0026] Referring back to FIG. 1, while a water resistant adhesive 26 hasbeen discussed as a preferred device for securing the reflective surface24 to the flip top lid 18, it should be appreciated that any adhesivewell known in the art may be used.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 2, the Sunscreen Container in accordance withthe present invention is shown and generally designated 20. TheSunscreen Container 20 includes a squeeze-tube shaped container 22having a planar side wall surface 24, which is formed to define an upperlid 26. In a preferred embodiment, the Sunscreen Container 20 has aplane top surface 28 of the upper lid 26 of the squeeze-tube 22.

[0028]FIG. 2 shows that the Sunscreen Container 20 is equipped with areflective surface 30. In a preferred embodiment, the reflective surface30 is affixed to the plane top surface 28 of the upper-lid 26. In apreferred embodiment, the reflective surface 30 is affixed to the planetop surface 28 of the flip-top lid 26 with a water resistant adhesive32.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 3, the Sunscreen Container in accordance withthe present invention is shown and generally designated 40. TheSunscreen Container 40 includes a jar-shaped container 42 having planarside wall surface 44, which is formed to define an upper lid 46. In apreferred embodiment, the Sunscreen Container 40 has a plane top surface48 of the upper-lid 46 of the jar 42.

[0030]FIG. 3 shows that the Sunscreen Container 40 is equipped with areflective surface 50. In a preferred embodiment, the reflective surface50 is affixed to the plane top surface 48 of the upper lid 46 with awater-resistant adhesive 52.

[0031] An alternative embodiment of the Sunscreen Container inaccordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 4 and generallydesignated 60. The Sunscreen Container 60 includes a bottle-shapedcontainer 62 having a substantially planar side wall surface 64 which isformed to define a bottle neck 66 having an upper flip-top lid 68. In apreferred embodiment, the Sunscreen Container 60 has a plane bottomsurface 70 and a plane top surface 72 of the flip-top lid 68 of thebottle 60.

[0032]FIG. 4 shows that the Sunscreen Container 60 is equipped with areflective surface 74. In a preferred embodiment, the reflective surface74 is affixed to the plane bottom surface 70 of bottle 62. In apreferred embodiment, the reflective surface 74 is affixed to the planebottom surface 70 with a water resistant adhesive 76.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 5, another alternative embodiment of theSunscreen Container in accordance with the present invention is shownand generally designated 80. The Sunscreen Container 80 includes ajar-shaped container 82 having planar side wall surface 84, which isformed to define an upper lid 86. In a preferred embodiment, theSunscreen Container 80 has a plane top surface 88 of the upper-lid 86 ofthe jar 82.

[0034]FIG. 5 shows that the Sunscreen Container 80 is equipped with areflective surface 90. In a preferred embodiment, the reflective surface90 is affixed to the plane bottom surface 92 of the jar 82.

[0035] Referring now to FIG. 6, another alternative embodiment of theSunscreen Container in accordance with the present invention is shownand generally designated 100. The Sunscreen Container 100 includes abottle-shaped container 102 having planar side wall surface 104. FIG. 6shows that the Sunscreen Container 100 is equipped with a reflectivesurface 106. In a preferred embodiment, the reflective surface 106 isaffixed to the planar side wall surface 104 of bottle 102.

[0036] Another alternative embodiment of the Sunscreen Container inaccordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 7 and generallydesignated 110. The Sunscreen Container 110 includes a squeeze-tubeshaped container 112 having planar side wall surface 114. FIG. 7 showsthat the Sunscreen Container 110 is equipped with a reflective surface116. In a preferred embodiment, the reflective surface 116 is affixed tothe planar side wall surface 114 of squeeze-tube 112.

[0037] In yet another alternative embodiment, the Sunscreen Container inaccordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 8 and generallydesignated 120. The Sunscreen Container 120 includes a jar shapedcontainer 122 having a planar side wall surface 124. FIG. 8 shows thatthe Sunscreen Container 120 is equipped with a reflective surface 126.In a preferred embodiment, the reflective surface 126 is affixed to theplanar side wall surface 124 of the jar 122.

[0038] While the particular Sunscreen Container as herein shown anddisclosed in detail is fully capable of achieving the objects andproviding the benefits herein before described, it is to be understoodthat it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments ofthe invention and that no limitations are intended to the details ofconstruction or design herein shown other than as described in theappended claims.

I claim:
 1. A sunscreen container, comprising: a container having anouter surface and containing a chemical sunscreen; and a reflectivesurface attached to said outer surface.
 2. The Sunscreen container ofclaim 1 , wherein said container is bottle shaped.
 3. The Sunscreencontainer of claim 2 , wherein said container is formed with a bottomsurface.
 4. The Sunscreen container of claim 3 wherein said reflectivesurface is attached to said bottom surface.
 5. The Sunscreen containerof claim 3 wherein said container further comprises an upper lid havinga plane top surface, and wherein said reflective surface is attached tosaid plane top surface.
 6. The Sunscreen container of claim 1 , whereinsaid container is squeeze-tube shaped and formed with a side wall. 7.The Sunscreen container of claim 6 wherein said reflective surface isattached to said side wall.
 8. The Sunscreen container of claim 6wherein said container further comprises an upper lid and wherein saidreflective surface is attached to said upper lid.
 9. The Sunscreencontainer of claim 1 , wherein said container is jar shaped and formedwith a bottom surface and a side wall.
 10. The Sunscreen container ofclaim 9 wherein said reflective surface is attached to said bottomsurface.
 11. The Sunscreen container of claim 9 wherein said reflectivesurface is attached to said side wall.
 12. The Sunscreen container ofclaim 9 further comprising an upper lid formed with a plane surface. 13.The Sunscreen container of claim 12 wherein said reflective surface isattached to said plane surface.
 14. The Sunscreen container of claim 1 ,wherein said reflective surface is reflective glass.
 15. The Sunscreencontainer of claim 1 wherein said reflective material is reflectivefoil.
 16. A sunscreen container, comprising a squeeze-tube shapedcontainer having a substantially planar side wall and formed with anopening; a flip-top lid; a means for attaching said flip-top lid to saidopening to seal said container; and a reflective surface attached tosaid container.
 17. The Sunscreen container of claim 16 wherein saidreflective surface is attached to said substantially planar side wall.18. The Sunscreen container of claim 16 wherein said reflective surfaceis attached to said flip top lid.
 19. A sunscreen container, comprisinga jar shaped container having a substantially planar side wall andformed with an opening; a lid; a means for attaching said lid to saidopening to seal said container; and a reflective surface attached tosaid lid.
 20. The Sunscreen container of claim 19 wherein saidreflective surface is reflective foil.